U.S. President Donald Trump said he would not be opposed to strikes on drug cartels on Mexican territory. He claims such actions could "save millions of lives," DW reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump accused Mexico of not handling the fight against drug cartels, and in this regard, he allowed for U.S. strikes on the territory of that country. "Would I strike in Mexico to stop drugs? I would be okay with that. We will do whatever it takes to stop drugs," Trump said on Monday evening, November 17, responding at the White House to a question from reporters about whether he would approve a U.S. operation against drug trafficking on Mexican territory.
"I’m not saying I’m going to do it, but I would be proud to do it. Because we will save millions of lives by doing it," Trump said.
Trump on Dialogue with Venezuela's Maduro
Since August, Washington has maintained a significant military presence in the Caribbean region, including warships, to combat, according to official statements, drug traffickers in several Latin American countries. Trump noted that amid the buildup of American military presence, tensions are rising, and therefore he is ready to talk to Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
"At some point, I will talk to him," Trump told reporters, adding that the Venezuelan leader "does not have a good view of the United States." When asked if he excludes the presence of American troops in Venezuela, Trump replied: "No, I do not exclude that, I exclude nothing. We just have to take care of Venezuela. They have sent hundreds of thousands of people into our country from prisons."
A few hours later, Maduro stated in his weekly television show that he is ready to talk "face to face" with anyone in the United States "who wants to talk to Venezuela."
Military Exercises in Trinidad and Tobago
A contingent of U.S. Marines is currently conducting military exercises in Trinidad and Tobago. This is the second such maneuver in less than a month between Washington and the small English-speaking archipelago located about 10 km off the coast of Venezuela.
However, the leader of Trinidad and Tobago stated on Monday that his country would not allow its territory to be used for an attack on Venezuela, and the U.S. has never asked him for that. "The U.S. has NEVER requested the use of our territory to carry out any strikes against the people of Venezuela," Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar told AFP.
"Trinidad and Tobago will not participate in any actions that could harm the Venezuelan people," she added, emphasizing that Washington and Caracas should resolve their differences through dialogue.
Venezuela Accuses U.S. of Attempting to Change Power
Venezuela accused Washington of seeking to change power in Caracas by increasing military presence, including an aircraft carrier group, warships, and several stealth fighters. Washington accuses Maduro of leading a "terrorist" drug cartel. Maduro rejects this accusation.
Since September, American forces have killed at least 83 people as a result of airstrikes on vessels accused by the United States of transporting drugs in international waters.
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